The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1887-01-08
AN AMERICAN LORD.
Baron Stiegers Splendid Castle at
Shaefferstown, Pa.
Going Through a Great Fortune-Festivitie
That Always Marked His Arrival at
Thurm-Berg-Died an Obscure
Schoolmaster. e.

Shaefferstown is a little village lying
in the south of Lebanon County, Pa,
with no special significance attaching
TO it. Nature has, however, surrounded
it with beauteOus outlines of landscape,
and it nestles among hills, high and
low, as if it aspired to nothing more
than the sweet amenities of seclusion.
1t was originally settled by German
Jews. In the first years of the eigh-
teenth century they came here and as
If by some prearranged understanding
of its great natural beauty and fitting
advantages, they built themselves
homes in the valley and became com
munity of most peculiar people. The
accessions to this settlement became
numerous, until it had gained the repu-
tation far and wide of being the most
unique and clannish colony that had
found home in this land. The syna-
gogue that they built, and the para
phernalia of their imported rabbi be-
came great attraction to the outside
settlers, who often ventured into the
worship of their Sabbath Day. In the
year 1882 they already had constructed
a graveyard, built in with heavy and
substantial stone wall. The remains of
it are pointed out to-day About one
half mile south of Shaefferstown, close
to the Lancaster road, it rests in half
preserved but neglected state. The
most adhesive cement and most expert
masonry evidently were used, for the
wintry blasts of more than one hum
dred and fifty years have not quite de-
stroyed this relic.
But sudden and extraordinary as was
the advent of this people, SO was their
departure. 1t was almost like a dream
of single night As between sunrise
and sunset the new town was deserted
and no vestige of Israel remained save
the dead that lay on the hill. Then
Germans of another faith came-Luthe-
rams and German Reformed, among
whom was one Shaeifer, who, through
influence and wealth, became the pro-
prietor of the place, and also became
the father of the little town. In 1745 it
had no less than one hundred unassum-
ing little houses, several stores and
taverns, andin 1865 Il bell of the Protest
ant faith rung out above stone church
whose tolling has never ceased.
But another more interesting histori-
cal fact gives dignity to the surround
ings of this place. There is lofty hill
that frowns with its grim heights upon
the little village from the south. 1t is
styled the "Thurm-Berg, or Tower
Hill. On that lofty eminence certain
William Henry Stiegel had erected q
tower, or castle, and certain phases of
its ruins can be noticed this day. There
are those living who have very cor
rect representation of the odd structure,
given them by former generations, but
in the absence of better history a very
fantastic mass of legends concerning its
owner are extant. This German Baron
was, however, most eccentric man.
He was altogether the most notorious
figure in all that region around, and the
many lavish and extraordinary expendi-
lures in business enterprises and in the
public qualification of his whims adver-
tised him in the great social and mer-
camille centers of the cities. He had a
most checkered career. He was
Baron in Europe. In America he APP
parently disrobed himself of the garb of
titled gentleman and launched into q
busy life, spending money like q
prince. He became an iron-master, II
glass manufacturer, and even for awhile
assumed the functions of preacher,
when later, through the changed vicis-
STUDIES of fortune, he acted the school
master. His life, in the full detail OF
all its successes and adversities, it prodi-
galities of gayety and wealth and its
pinched reverses of sadness and poverty,
would make one of the most interesting
romances in print
Baron Stiegel had two magnificent
palaces, and perhaps three There is
little more known about him in the ira
ditions and histories of Shaefferstown
than belongs to his tower and to the